After leaving hospital he began to write more poetry. In 1955 he was treated for a near-fatal bleeding ulcer. Postal Service in Los Angeles for almost 3 years. Then in the early 1950s he took a job with the U.S. This period formed the basis for later semi-autobiographical chronicles, fictionalized versions of Bukowski's life through his alter-ego, Henry Chinaski.ĭuring this period he spent time roaming about the United States, working sporadically and staying in cheap rooming houses. Two years later '20 Tanks from Kasseldown', another short story, was published in Issue III of, Portfolio however, Bukowski grew disillusioned with the publication process and quit serious writing for almost a decade in what he termed his 'ten-year drunk'. Sixteen days later, he failed a psychological exam and was given a Service Classification of 4-F (unfit for military service).īukowski’s short story, 'Aftermath of a Lengthy Rejection Slip,' was published in, Story Magazine, when he was 24. He was held for 17 days in Philadelphia's Moyamensing Prison.

It was in his early teens that Bukowski “discovered” alcohol and became a chronic alcoholic in later years.Īfter graduating from Los Angeles High School, Bukowski attended Los Angeles City College for two years, taking courses in art, journalism, and literature before quitting and moving to New York to begin his writing career.īukowski was arrested in 1944 by FBI agents in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on suspicion of draft evasion. Although considered Dyslexic, he did reasonably well at school and was praised for his artistic talents. The family moved to South Central Los Angeles in 1930.Īs a youth Bukowski was shy and withdrawn allegedly due to constant beatings from his father, but it was not helped by his strong Germanic accent and the Germanic clothing he was forced to wear.īukowski claimed his early childhood enabled him to endure and understand undeserved pain. The family name was anglicized in pronunciation from Boo-kof-ski to Boo-cow-ski and Heinrich Karl eventually became Henry Charles. His father tried to make a living as building contractor after the war but this proved to arduous in the prevailing conditions in Germany and he moved back to the US in April 1923 and settled in Baltimore. Bukowski claims he was illegitimate but records show his parents were married a year before his birth. Charles Bukowski was born Heinrich Karl Bukowski on Augin Andernach, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany where his father was serving as an American army sergeant. His life at that time bordered on insanity and death, two prevalent themes in his writing. He spent a lot of time roaming from job to job living in rooming houses from the East coast to the West coast before joining the United States Postal Service in Los Angeles. He was first published in his 20s., but gave up serious writing for the world of work and bars. Charles Bukowski was one of the most famous of the American poets of his time.

Bukowski poems